Women’s institution of reconciliation: Raya-Azebo, Tigray Elderly and highly respected women in a

village in Raya-Azebo, Tigray established a reconciliation institution called the Debarte. The Debarte
plays an important role in avoiding harms associated with the culture of revenge. A man may kill
another man in a fight. The incident would trigger the feeling of revenge among male relatives of the
murdered man. In such a tense situation, the wife of the killer requests for the Debarte intervention.
The Debarte quickly start their intervention to stop the act of revenge. The Debarte instruct the
murderer’s wife to gathering her female relatives together. The wife and her female relatives get ready
wearing their netela upside down and covering their hair with black cloths to show their grief and
regret. After these preparations, the Debarte lead the female relatives of the killer to the home of the
murdered man. The women cry loudly while walking to their destination. As they come near to the
home of the killed person, they utter the following words: ‘Abyetye ezgio! Abyetye ezgio!’ ‘Oh God help
us! God help us! Upon their arrival at the compound of the victim, the Debarte kneel down and cover
theirheads with the dust of the compound. They beg the relatives/family of the murdered man to give
uprevenge and consider forgiveness. Initially, the relatives may not respond to the request; however,
they will change their mind and open the door to show their consent for reconciliation. After persuading
the victim’s relatives to give up revenge, the Debarte give the way for elders who start the peace-making
process. 129 Reflect your views on the following questions  What do you think about the contribution
of the Debarte in avoiding revenge and making peace?  Do you know other women’s institutions
involved in making peace?  Do you think that women could play an important role in peacemaking in
the current situation of Ethiopia? 6.5 Legal pluralism: interrelations between customary, religious and
state legal systems Legal pluralism is an important concept in disciplines that study legal issues. It refers
to the existence of two or more legal or justice systems in a given society or country. Legal pluralism
indicates the co-existence of multiple legal systems working side-by-side in the same society. Legal
pluralism is evident in the Ethiopian context. Multiple legal institutions, including customary laws and
courts, state laws and courts, and religious laws and courts (e.g., the Sharia Law) work side-by-side in
most parts of the country. The FDRE Constitution provides ample space for religious and customary laws
and courts to address personal and family cases. The following two Articles show this reality.  In
accordance with provisions to be specified by law, a law giving recognition to marriage concluded under
systems of religious or customary laws may be enacted (Article 34(4).  Religious and customary courts
that had state recognition and functioning prior to the adoption of the Constitution shall be organized
on the basis of recognition accorded to them by the Constitution. (Article 78(5)) Legal pluralism is a
pervasive phenomenon in Ethiopia. This is because a single legal system does not have a capability to
address all legal cases and maintaining peace and order. 130 Hence, the following justice institutions
work side-by-side in most parts of the country, especially in remote and rural areas: state/formal justice
institutions, customary justice institutions, and religious courts. The following figure shows the formal
and customary justice institutions working side-by-side in one of the districts in Gamo zone. Three
elements are portrayed in the figure above: 1) state justice institutions: state law, districts court, and the
police; 2) customary institutions: dere woga/customary law, dubusha/customary court, and dere
cima/council of elders; and 3) social court attached to each kebele administration. The picture will be
more complex if we add religious courts such as the Sharia court which is very important in regions such
as Afar, Somali, and Harari. 131 Reflect your views on the following questions  What are the
advantages and disadvantages of legal pluralism (having multiple justice/legal systems/institutions)? 
Do you think that state justice institutions and customary justice institutions support each other to
maintain peace and order? Discuss these and related issues among your classmates.